It was an early afternoon in Nerima Japan; the sun was sat lazily over the hills and buildings basking the city in golden light, birds were chirping and fluttering. People were busy about their day and busy in conversation.
Ryoga Hibiki aged 17 was hard at work training his mind and body; after being named heir to the family dojo he made it his life's goal to become the strongest martial artist he could be. He pushed his body to the max in order to make it stronger and able to endure the hardest of any situation he may succumb to.
In order to please his mother as a student; he studied hard at school making sure he got good grades and didn't get into any trouble. While not having many friends he was a kind natured boy but had a fiery temper and was easy influenced.
His mother Asami Hibiki aged 33 was a single parent and head of the Hibiki dojo. She had lost her husband to an illness 3 years ago but was doing well to support her son and herself. She was a great cook and an even better mentor; as well as being a woman you did not want to piss off.
She was a beautiful woman both inside and out; greatly admired by many including Ryoga. She had shoulder length black hair (Like her son) and amber eyes; which she tied up in a topknot. She had a voluptuous figure and bountiful busts which caused many to fall in love with her upon first sight.
"Ryoga dear" His mother called loudly from the front room. She had some important news to tell him and she was sure he would be very pleased indeed.
"Yes mother" Ryoga called back obediently. He grabbed his neck towel and cleaned off his face from sweat and took a long swig of water. He was rather exhausted after that work out and was eager to taste the breakfast his mother had prepared.
He made his way out of the dojo and back into the house; before he could reach the kitchen his mother bumped into him quickly "Ah! There you are Ryoga!" she cried out happily relief hinted in her tone.
"I was just about to go to the table for breakfast and take a shower" Ryoga said quickly his tone anxious.
"Good then you'll look presentable when our guests arrive" His mother said cheerfully.
Ryoga raised his eyebrows curiously and gave his mother a confused look "Our guests?" he said awkwardly.
"Yes Mr Saotome and his daughter are on their way here" She explained eagerly her eyes shining with joy. At last her son would be marrying the perfect girl; someone who would be able to run the dojo as his side in the future.
"Ranko is coming here?!" Ryoga cried out in embarrassment his face flushing red. He couldn't quite believe what he was hearing.
Back in junior high Ryoga had been in the same class as tomboy Ranko Saotome; she was a year younger than him but had a lot to say for herself. They had been friends for years but he had secretly been in love with her for a long time.
"Yes; so you had better hurry" she teased playfully giving him a cheeky wink. It was always good to make a good impression otherwise the girl may not like you.
Without hesitation Ryoga rushed to the bathroom and immediately began running a bath. As the bathwater ran he tore off his clothes as fast as he possibly could; there was no way in hell he was gonna let Ranko see him in this gross state.
He felt blood rush to his face as he thought about seeing her again after all this time; I mean they still spoke to each other but due to studies and her going away to China in order to train it had been a while. "I wonder if she may like me too" he thought to himself quietly.
An hour later
Ryoga was sat in his room drying his hair off and enjoying a glass of milk; he was freshly bathed and ready for the day. He was currently wearing his dark blue baggy trousers but was wearing his towel around his neck.
He hadn't anticipated spending so much time in the bath but he had been cleaning EVERYTHING thoroughly. The last thing he wanted was to smell like sweat and look like crap.
Luckily his mother had informed him they were having a slight detour but would arrive in the next 20 minutes. She had also informed him that he and Ranko's rooms would be opposite each other so they could see each other whenever they wanted.
He felt himself blush again at the thought of seeing her again; her fiery red hair, her adorable short temper and above all her give no craps attitude. She was a handful but she was also his best friend.
"Ryoga! We have guests!" His mother called from downstairs.
"YES!" Ryoga called back loudly his tone eager. He jumped to his feet and grabbed his yellow sleeveless top. He pulled it over his head quickly while rushing downstairs frantically; she was here, she was finally here.
In sitting room
Ryoga slammed open the door quickly his heart racing and panting heavily. He was so nervous yet so happy; he didn't know what to do.
Ranko looked up at him from where she sat and smiled "Hey Ryoga; it's been a while" she said playfully grinning widely.
"Hey Ranko-chan" Ryoga said happily. She was still even more beautiful as ever and he couldn't be more grateful to his mother than he was now.
"Well if it aint Ryoga; last time we met you were a little squirt. You're quite the man now" Genma praised cheerfully taking a sip of sake.
Ryoga sat down at the table "It's good to see you too Mr Saotome; it's been a long time" he said politely with a kind smile.
"I brought tea and cake" Mrs Hibiki said kindly walking towards the table then kneeled and placed it on the table.
"You really are too good to us Asami" Genma said gratefully his tone somewhat flirty.
"It's no problem Genma; we're old friends after all" Asami said sharply while wearing a sweet face.
She, Genma and Suon went to high school together. They were close friends all through their school years and their bonds had remained very strong. They had not all gone to the same college but had kept in contact.
After giving birth to her child when her son attended junior high he had fallen for Ranko. In the sly Asami had arranged for Ranko and Ryoga to marry with Genma's consent.
"You've gotten so cute Ranko; it must be your mother's genes since Genma looks like a potato" Asami said sweetly her tone hinting mockery.
Genma whimpered awkwardly and sipped his tea; he had forgotten just how scary she had become in her adult years.
Ranko blushed shyly and rubbed the back of her head awkwardly "Gee you think so; I think some of the other girls in my class are way prettier" she confessed nervously.
"THAT'S NOT TRUE!" Ryoga burst out suddenly his tone annoyed and frustrated. Ranko was one of the prettiest girls in her class. But above all she was one of the most fearless and outspoken girls in the entire year; and he admired that about her.
"Ryoga?" Ranko and Asami said simultaneously their tone filled with surprise and shock.
Ryoga bowed his head quietly his cheeks flushing bright red; he never said this kind of stuff normally but he hated it when Ranko couldn't see how amazing she was. "You don't give yourself enough credit Ranko; you have more looks than all the girls in our class put together" Ryoga said shyly.
Ranko felt her cheeks burning and couldn't think of a word to say; he was so sweet and such a good friend. It was hard to find guys like him and she really appreciated him.
Asami smirked and decided to take advantage of the situation "Genma, Ryoga why don't you go have a drink somewhere. Me and Ranko need to have a girly talk" she said smiling gently.
"Huh why? We're so comfy" Genma said curiously completely oblivious to the situation.
Ryoga got to his feet crossly; it was no secret how stupid Ranko's father was. She didn't take after him what so ever (except for temper, love of food and fighting skills) and was more like her mother Nodoka.
He grabbed Genma's collar and dragged him out the door by force "Let's go old man I wanna see if I can out drink you" Ryoga said sternly.
Asami smiled at him gratefully as he pulled Genma out of the doorway. She was glad he was smarter than Genma and actually got the hint.
Ranko sat there in surprise wondering why they suddenly left. Ryoga had seemed fine before; well sure a confusing but still himself. Why had he suddenly walked out like that just now?
"Ranko I have something serious to ask you" Asami said solemnly giving her a stern look. She knew how Ryoga felt about her but she would not allow him to get his heart broken over his best friend.
"Um sure ok" Ranko said nervously clenching her fists under the table. She was so scared about what was going on; the situation had changed so drastically it was scary.
"How do you feel about my son?" Asami asked firmly her eyes hard and filled with concern. The last thing she ever wanted for Ryoga was to have his heart broken by anyone; especially his best friend.
Ranko blushed crimson and went quiet her throat simply allowing small squeaks to erupt. She had never been asked this question before and certainly wasn't expecting it at all.
Asami took a deep breath sighing heavily "Ranko; you may not be aware of this but Ryoga has been in love with you since junior high" she said solemnly.
"Really?!" Ranko cried out loudly her voice filled with shock. She had no idea I mean she didn't hate it but she always thought it was because he was such a nice guy.
Asami nodded smiling warmly "He's always thinking about you; talking about you. When you call him after school he practically rushes to the phone. He really treasures you Ranko and he cares for you a great deal" she explained tenderly.
Ranko was shocked by all this; but she felt warm inside and she was rather touched Ryoga felt this way. Of course she had been oblivious to the idea and it did come as a huge surprise but she didn't hate it.
Ryoga was her best friend and she cared for him a lot; she hated it when people were cruel to him or teased him. He was always there for her and helped her when she was in trouble. They were sparring buddies and always loved hanging out with each other; he made her so happy inside.
"My hopes and intentions are that you two will marry and inherit the Hibiki dojo thus combining the schools" Asami explained gently.
While in school Genma and herself had agreed that should their children fall in love they should combine the school and marry. Luckily half that dream came true on Asami's part; but Genma's was unknown.
"I...This is all...I mean...well..." Ranko stammered nervously. She didn't know quite what to say she needed time to think.
Asami smiled "You don't have to answer right now I just thought I should tell you how he felt" she explained awkwardly.
"I see" Ranko said gently her expression gentle. She had no idea Ryoga had felt like this for so long. She eventually got up and began to leave "I'm going to take a bath I need time to think this over" Ranko said quietly.
Asami said nothing but nodded; it was understandable of what Ranko was feeling. But she wanted her son to be happy and if it meant giving their romance a bit of a push she would do it.
After Ranko was gone she sighed heavily and frowned "I've done what I can on my part; the rest is up to them now" she said sadly.